Fluoridation Fails San Antonio, Texas

People in pain line up for free dental clinic

A day before the free dental treatment event opened, a crowd was on hand at the Convention Center. Families, couples and lone patients stood in a line that snaked around the building, seeking relief from throbbing pain, headaches and gum disease.

When the doors opened that early Sunday morning of Oct. 12, 938 dentists, hygienists, assistants, community workers and students were ready to tend to the crowd's needs.

From 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., volunteers from 36 states and 10 countries cared for the patients at the 2014 Mission of Mercy,